Removable resilient closure applicator and cover for locking therewith



y 1949- M. E. BENGTSON 2,474,969

REMOVABLE RE SILIENT' CLDSURE APPLICATOR AND COVER FOR LOCKING THEREWITH Filed May 1a, 1946 INVENTOR.

Patented July 5, 1949 REMOVABLE RESILIENT CLOSURE APPLI- CATOR AND COVER FOR LOCKING THERE- WITH Martin E. Bengtson, Springfield, Mass Application May 13, 1946, Serial No. 669,281

1 Claim. 1

The invention relates to improvements in applicator devices and is directed more particularly to applicators for association with collapsible tubes for dispensing and applying the contents thereof.

The principal objects of the invention are the provision of an applicator device which is adapted for use with a collapsible tube of shaving cream, face cream'or the like where it is desired to apply such material to the face or to the body.

The device of the invention is characterized by means to facilitate securement thereof to the neck of a collapsible tube readily and easily while in use. A yieldable flange portion makes it possible to apply the material contained in the tube to the. face or other part of the body. Closure means-is provided which not only seals but also covers and protects the device when not in use.

It will be understood that the device is adapted for general use in connection with collapsible tubes and while adapted for use with shaving creams and the like it is not so limited.

With the foregoing and various other novel features and advantages and other objects of my invention as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed and more fully described and referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an inverted plan view of the applicator of the invention embodying the novel features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the closure means embodying the novel features of the invention;

Figs. 4 and 5 are plan and inverted plan views respectively of the closure means shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the upper part of a collapsible tube having the applicator and closure means of the invention associated therewith and shown in section; and

Fig. '7 is a partial sectional elevational view through a modified form of closure means.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, the invention will be fully described.

A collapsible tube is represented by 2 which has an upper neck portion 4 that is usually threaded and provided with an outlet 6. As is well known, the tube is squeezed so that the material therein is discharged through the outlet.

An applicator member is shown at 8 which will preferably be made from rubber, rubber composition or something of a plastic nature so as to be pliable or yieldable. A hub part II] of the applicator has a socket 12 therein which is adapted to receive and engage the neck 4 of the tube so as to be detachably secured thereto.

An outlet M for aligning with the outlet of the neck of the tube is formed in the member 8. A shoulder I6 is provided, as shown. A flange l8 extends radially outwardly from the hub part Ill.

The applicator or flange l8 thereof is provided with a concave face 20 on the outermost side thereof and the flange preferably tapers outwardly from the hub so as to be relatively flexible or yieldable.

With the applicator associated with a tube as shown in Fig. 6, the tube may be squeezed so that the desired amount of material therein will be presented at the outlet I l. The tube may be grasped in the hand and the flange engaged with the face or other part of the body and moved relative thereto so that the material is spread or applied. The flange being yieldable it is adapted to act with a rubbing or massage action thereby to obtain the desired and necessary distribution of the material.

Closure means 22 includes a stem 24 having an enlargement 26 and a cover portion 28 which is provided with an axially extending peripheral skirt 30. The closure means will preferably be made from relative rigid material which may include a plastic, metal or the like and while shown as being formed from secured together members, it may be a unitary one-piece structure.

The stem of the closure means is receivable in the outlet M of the applicator and the enlargement is of a dimension slightly in excess of that of said outlet so that as it is inserted in the outlet the hub of the applicator is expanded to some extent.

When the closure means is in closed position on the applicator and the enlargement has passed the shoulder IS in the outlet thereof, the enlargement and shoulder coact to resist outward movement of the closure. When the tube is squeezed so as to force material through the outlet of the neck, the discharge of the material is arrested by the enlargement and thereby the outlet is sealed.

The inner face of the cover portion 28 of the closure means at its central portion is convexed substantially complemental to the corresponding concaved portion of the applicator and is adapted to seat thereon when in closed position on the applicator. Preferably otherwise the parts of the cover adjacent to the flange of the applicator are spaced slightly therefrom or out of intimate contact therewith so as to not injure or distort the flange. At least there need be no contact.

The cover portion of the closure means functions to cover and protect the flange of the applicator against the likelihood of contamination, thereby the applicator is not only kept clean and ready for use but protects other objects against such material as may remain on the applicator. 1

The closure means may be readily and easily removed to make the applicator available for use and while the construction is adapted for the intended use and function it presents a, pleasing appearance.

By making the stem 24 of greater dimension than that of the outlet I 4 and by providing the enlargement, the stem is yieldingly gripped by the applicator when inserted therein thereby to cooperate with the enlargement 26 and shoulder IE to prevent unwanted displacement of the closure means and leakage.

As previously stated, the closure means may be made from plastic material according to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 wherein the closure means is represented by 32. A cover portion 34 has a peripheral flange or skirt 36 and the inner face is convexed complemental to the curvature of the applicator. A stem 38 is provided with an enlargement 40 and a peripheral bead 42 is provided.

With the closure means on the applicator and in inverted position, the tube may be supported in an upright position, the closure means being shown in inverted position in Fig. 7.

The invention may be embodied in other speciflc forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Hence, the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects merely as being illustrative and not as being restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications and variations as fall within the meaning and purview and range of equivalency of the appended claim are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What it is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

An applicator and closure device for the externally threaded neck portion of a collapsible tube provided with an axial outlet therethrough comprising, an applicator and a closure, said applicator formed from yieldable rubber material and having a lower hub portion and a circular flange portion on the upper side of the hub portion with the hub portion having a bore extending upwardly from the lower end thereof for receiving the neck of the tube and terminating in a shoulder disposed upwardly from the lower end thereof, the flange portion of said applicator having an upper concaved face and a lower face converging relative thereto whereby the flange portion gradually tapers outwardly in thickness and terminates in a relatively thin yieldable peripheral edge, said applicator being provided with an axial passageway extending upwardly therethrough from the bore, said closure having an upper circular cover portion and a longitudinal stem depending therefrom with an enlargement intermediate its ends of greater diameter than the diameter of the axial passageway of said applicator, the stem of said closure being adapted for insertion in the passageway of said applicator and with the enlargement of the stem auapted to pass through the passageway and arranged to abut the shoulder of the hub portion of, said applicator to releasably hold said closure against accidental displacement from said applicator, and the cover portion being of substantially the same diameter as the flange portion of said applicator and adapted to overlie the upper face of the flange portion when the stem is inserted n the passageway of said applicator.

MARTIN E. BENGTSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,137,086 Rodiger Apr. 27, 1915 1,517,914 MacDonald Dec. 2, 1924 1,826,587 Wright Oct. 6, 1931 1,841,012 Daniels Jan. 12, 1932 2,021,653 Johnson Nov. 19, 1935 2,118,051 MacMichael May 24, 1938 2,197,052 Lowen Apr. 16, 1940 FOREEGN PATENTS Number Country Date 17,990 Great Britain 1902 268,225 Germany Dec. 16, 1912 174,983 Great Britain Feb. 6, 1922 

